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IMDbPro

Monkey Shines

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Monkey Shines (1988)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:39
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
A quadriplegic man has a trained monkey help him with his paralysis, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master.A quadriplegic man has a trained monkey help him with his paralysis, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master.A quadriplegic man has a trained monkey help him with his paralysis, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George A. Romero
  • Writers
    • Michael Stewart(novel "Monkey Shines")
    • George A. Romero(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jason Beghe
    • John Pankow
    • Kate McNeil
Top credits
  • Director
    • George A. Romero
  • Writers
    • Michael Stewart(novel "Monkey Shines")
    • George A. Romero(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jason Beghe
    • John Pankow
    • Kate McNeil
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 87User reviews
    • 75Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Monkey Shines
    Trailer 1:39
    Monkey Shines

    Photos132

    Jason Beghe, Kate McNeil, and John Pankow in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Jason Beghe and Kate McNeil in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Boo in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Jason Beghe and Kate McNeil in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Boo in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Jason Beghe in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Monkey Shines (1988)
    Boo in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Boo in Monkey Shines (1988)
    Monkey Shines (1988)
    Monkey Shines (1988)
    Monkey Shines (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason Beghe
    Jason Beghe
    • Allan Mannas Allan Mann
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Geoffrey Fisheras Geoffrey Fisher
    Kate McNeil
    Kate McNeil
    • Melanie Parkeras Melanie Parker
    Joyce Van Patten
    Joyce Van Patten
    • Dorothy Mannas Dorothy Mann
    Christine Forrest
    Christine Forrest
    • Maryanne Hodgesas Maryanne Hodges
    Stephen Root
    Stephen Root
    • Dean Burbageas Dean Burbage
    Stanley Tucci
    Stanley Tucci
    • Dr. John Wisemanas Dr. John Wiseman
    Boo
    Boo
    • Ellaas Ella
    Janine Turner
    Janine Turner
    • Linda Aikmanas Linda Aikman
    William Newman
    William Newman
    • Doc Williamsas Doc Williams
    Tudi Wiggins
    Tudi Wiggins
    • Esther Fryas Esther Fry
    Tom Quinn
    Tom Quinn
    • Charlie Cunninghamas Charlie Cunningham
    Chuck Baker
    • Ambulance Driveras Ambulance Driver
    Patricia Tallman
    Patricia Tallman
    • Party Guestas Party Guest
    David Early
    • Anesthetistas Anesthetist
    Michael Naft
    • Young Allanas Young Allan
    Tina Romero
    Tina Romero
    • Child Playingas Child Playing
    Mitchell Baseman
    • Child Playingas Child Playing
    • Director
      • George A. Romero
    • Writers
      • Michael Stewart(novel "Monkey Shines")
      • George A. Romero(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the first film role for Stephen Root, then a stage actor. According to Root, he had been instructed by his agent not to let the casting directors know that he was inexperienced with film as an actor. Root's official debut was Crocodile Dundee II (1988), which had been released in theaters a month before this film, despite being shot a month after it.
    • Goofs
      Fisher incorrectly refers to performing an "autopsy" on Ella. An autopsy is performed on human remains. The correct term for examining animal remains postmortem is "necropsy". This is a common mistake for most people, one that Fisher would not make, given his profession.
    • Quotes

      Geoffrey Fisher: You're a clinical cunt.

    • Crazy credits
      "Introducing Boo as Ella"
    • Alternate versions
      Earlier versions of Monkey Shines allegedly contained a bizarre brain surgery scene, as well as several abusive scenes involving the small monkey, Ellie. Although the scenes were all staged and no animals were harmed in the making of the movie, the filmmakers decided it would be better to simply leave them out to avoid conflicts.
    • Connections
      Featured in Document of the Dead (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      There'll Be Another Spring
      Written by Peggy Lee and Hubie Wheeler
      Performed by Peggy Lee
      Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc.
      Under license from Capitol Special Markets

    User reviews87

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A classic, no doubt!
    Aah, George A Romero - the master himself - does it again. This is a very stylish thriller and perfect study of how man's apparent progress goes horribly wrong.

    The film captured my attention from the opening moment. Jason Beghe is perfectly cast in this demanding role. It was interesting (if somewhat creepy) to see how things started going wrong, very subtle at first, and how the situation declined to absolute chaos and mayhem. The romance interest felt very natural and enjoyable. Quite often the romance feels forced into a film; here it seemed inevitable given the circumstances.

    This is a true classic!
    helpful•5
    0
    • paulclaassen
    • May 20, 2019

    FAQ1

    • Do disabled people in real life ever use monkeys for help around the house?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 29, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ella
    • Filming locations
      • Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,344,577
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,902,024
      • Jul 31, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,344,577
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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